Issuu

minster football club

CLUBOFFICIALS

Chairman

Colin Holden

Secretary

Steve Farbrace

1stTeamManager

Ian Wallace

1stTeamAssistantManager

Liam Morris

ReserveTeamManager

Elliot Austin

3rdTeam(1911)Manager

Colin Holden

WomensTeamManager

Steph Meeks

WomensTeamCoaches

Andy Long

Paige Godden

VeteransTeamManager

Steve Farbrace

U18KYLYouthTeamManager

Russell Wilson

U16FDYFLYouthTeamManager

Nelson Were

U16EKYFLYouthTeamManager

James Wells

U15FDYFLYouthTeamManager

James Wells

MEMBERSOF

FRONTCOVERPHOTOCREDIT:

Kent & County Football League

Canterbury & District Football League

South East Counties Womens Football League

Len Martin Thanet & District Football League

Kent Youth League

East Kent Youth Football League

Faversham & District Youth Football League

NELSONWERE

“ Nelson is a man of many talents. During the week he handcrafts leather goods in his Quex Park workshop along with refining his photography skills in both sports and natural settings. Add to that his management and coaching of our U16 youth team – he keeps himself busy ! ”

@nweredesigns/@nels.onwere

Together we can end hate in football Poor behaviour in football is increasing. Prejudice is on the rise. All forms of discrimination – including racist, sexist and homophobic abuse – is ruining our game. We’re targeting discriminatory abuse in all its forms with a range of punishments. Tell us when it happens, and we’ll tackle it. Together we can put an end to discrimination in the grassroots game.

from the chair

So, we got through another season and as you may already be aware, we narrowly missed out on the league title, finishing behind Hawkinge Town. We are confirmed runners up as we head into this final game today. Whilst the mood has been a little low recently, we should still reflect on how far we have come in such a short time and the potential of where we can get to as a club. This current first team have consistently showed that they belong at the top of the KCFL Premier Division and there will be opportunities to progress further. A huge amount of credit should go to manager Ian Wallace who has now overseen many seasons of excellent progression and consistency. We often smile about the time a local senior club chairman openly suggested that sacking Ian could be the way to progress our club – we were all in the room at the same time! This isn’t how we operate – we want to progress, but we want to maintain the excellent culture around the club and that has always been our priority. A big thanks also to Liam who has embedded himself into the club – not just pitch-side but also behind the scenes where he has provided me with some muchneeded support and guidance. And then we come to Stevo who continues to sweep up the admin during the week and then also handle matchday logistics whilst being a valuable third voice from the dugout. This team and this club will continue to progress all the while Ian, Liam and Stevo are at the top of the tree, and I am hugely grateful to have them at Minster FC.

And so for the last time this season we welcome our visitors to Hartsdown Park as Dean and the Kent United squad travel down from Dartford. Kent United have enjoyed a good season and are guaranteed a top 5 position – they have also consistently been in the top of the KCFL Premier Division for the last three seasons.

We also welcome our officials Keith, Martyn and Bradley today – certainly no strangers to us this season and we hope they enjoy a well-earned break in the close season after today’s match.

Thank you to everyone who has come along to support us at Hartsdown Park this season – we can confirm we will be here again for 2026/27 season. I have had some great positive feedback from many of you who like the way we play on the pitch and how we represent this historic club and it is really appreciated.

Thankyouforthelasttimethisseasonandwelook forwardtoseeingyouagainnextseason.

from the boss

Good afternoon and welcome to Hartsdown Park for this afternoon's fixture against Kent United in what is the last game of the season, and what a season it has been. With the league title yet to be decided going into the final weekend we had to delay sending this programme to print as we awaited the outcomes of the fixtures taking place on Saturday 2 May. Anything other than a win for Hawkinge against Canterbury would mean that we would go into today’s game with a chance of winning the league, as long as we were victorious in our fixture away at Meridian FC.

As it turned out, Hawkinge were victorious against Canterbury City, a 4-1 win securing them the league title. I would like to take this chance to congratulate Hawkinge FC on their success. From our perspective, we knew that we had to beat Meridian to give us any chance going into today's game and we did this with a hard working and resilient performance. Jake Munday converted a penalty towards the end of the first period, only for Meridian, who themselves were desperate for the points in the battle against relegation, to level in first half injury time. A Meridian own goal put us ahead half way through the second half and this was enough to give us a deserved victory. Having taken care of our own business, we would fish the game, ultimately proud of our efforts but disappointed at the news coming from Canterbury.

The potential final weekend drama was made possible by our 2-0 victory against Falconwood last week in a game that both teams needed to win to maintain their title challenge. Charlie Sharp put us in the lead with an outstanding strike from just inside the Falconwood half, seeing us into the break one goal to the good. The second half saw us forced into a strong defensive display for long periods before John Argyrides emerged to show great composure one one with the keeper to slide home a decisive goal.

These results sees us secure a second place finish for the third season in the last four, an outcome we can be proud of and one that means we remain in contention for promotion to Southern Counties Football League Division 1. For us to be in this position is quite outstanding and is a signal of incredible progression both on and off the pitch, we shall now see what the summer brings but the journey and development of this club continues at a pace.

1st Team Manager IanWallace

I would like to take this chance to thank all of the players and coaches that have contributed to the club this season, it still amazes me at the progress we have made in sheer numbers and teams involved, over the last 10 years. We have and are building something that is important in our community and there are many players, coaches, volunteers and families that can take great pride in that. I would like to thank Liam and Steve for their time, effort, passion and good humour in what has been a long season. I see no hierarchy in what we do, it is a team effort with all contributing, that is the way it should be and the way we do things here. Finally a thank you to Colin Holden who leads this club in so many ways but most importantly, he is the moral compass of the club. I know his father would be proud to see what Colin has done to build on the club he helped to keep going and then grow. He would be proud of what it is today under his leadership, he too would be excited by what the future holds and by the fact that family, friendships and values underpin all we do.

To the players who have represented the club at all levels this season, well done and thank you for your contributions to the club this season. I said to the first team group on Saturday that we will always be proud of their efforts as they always give their full endeavour to trying to ensure that they contribute to the success of the team and the club. Humility and hard work are key characteristics of what we do and the sustained progress of the club is built on the players that give their all each week. A memorable season draws to a close and before we know it the next one will be here but each season is its own story with its own set of protagonists. We are proud of the story that has been told this season, we will of course look to improve again next season.

Finally, thank you to all of you that have supported this group (and all the other teams) this season. It is always great to see familiar and new faces here at Hartsdown Park (and the Rec!) and we hope to see you again next season, no matter which league we are in.

For the last time this season, I hope you enjoy the game today and thank you for yoursupport!

our main sponsors

Founded by lifelong friends Lawrence Rose and Elliot Payne, ARTO is already a global leader in life sciences talent solutions, dedicated to helping Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and MedTech companies secure the people they need to drive innovation and growth.

With a focus on providing bespoke, high-impact talent strategies across Europe and America, they partner with leading organisations to meet their staffing needs through an efficient, flexible, and insight-driven approach.

Elliot is no stranger to the football club having played for them as part of his introduction into adult football. He would go onto play in the KCFL for East Kent College Bears under our 1 Team assistant manager, Liam Morris. Elliot is also a registered player for the Minster Old Boys (Vets) side.

Tradefit4U are a family run company with a name synonymous with local football. Father and son duo Tony and Jayme Wisker

are both very well known in Thanet Football – Tony often having battled with Minster FC on the pitch during the 80s and 90s. Jayme played for some of the all-conquering Thanet Sunday League sides in his time and along with his brothers Danny (former Margate, Whitstable & Herne Bay) and Kyle (US Scholarships and Whitstable) it is clear that football has always run deep in the Wisker family.

Tradefit4U work alongside some of the best manufactures of UPVC, aluminium, composite and timber products to supply and fit guttering, windows, doors and conservatories.

Working in both the domestic and commercial sectors and based in Manston, Tradefit4U are well positioned to serve Thanet and the South East of England.

our club partners

Youngs Timber & Builders Merchants is a Kent‑based family‑run builders’ merchant operating from branches in Biddenden, Folkestone, and Dymchurch.

Founded in Kent, the business is led by a tight knit team passionate about supporting tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts alike. They stock high‑quality timber, building and plumbing supplies, fencing, decorating materials, landscaping products, cladding, roofing, doors, gates and workwear. With in house cutting and machining services, expert advice, free local delivery and a friendly, knowledgeable team, Youngs delivers professional reliability at local prices.

Shapes is a dynamic Canterbury-based firm combining digital accounting and creative marketing under one roof. Founded in 2023 by JimLeeves (chartered accountant and Xero expert) and SteveKreeger (UX strategist

and storyteller), the team crafts tailored solutions for small businesses in the UK. Their services cover ‘Better Accounting’ - tax, forecasting, digital finance systems - and creative ‘Shapes Marketing’, offering branding, websites, graphic design, video, and digital strategy. With values of simplicity, integrity, transparency, energy, and space, they aim to bring freedom, relief, and delight to clients. Shapes feels friendly, values-driven, and imaginatively practical - a local partner that makes running a business feel effortless and inspired.

Twenty4Seven Education is a fast growing UK education recruitment agency with offices in London, Manchester, Canterbury and beyond. Founded by experienced education professionals, the agency

prioritises honesty, transparency and individualised care for both schools and candidates. They place teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists and support staff in permanent, fixed term and supply roles across primary, secondary and special schools. Their Teaching Assistant Academy offers a two week training course for newcomers. With a friendly, responsive team and strong candidate feedback, Twenty4Seven feels supportive, professional and genuinely invested in helping educators thrive.

THISSEASONWEARETEAMING UPWITHTFMWHOWILLHOST THEDIGITALVERSIONSOF THESEPROGRAMMESONLINE

“Thank you to Russel and the Thanet Football Magazine team for your ongoing support—not just for our club, but for the entire local football community.”

ColinHolden Minster FC Chairman

first team

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didit!

The Hinds won the SECWFL Divisional Trophy beating Tonbridge Juniors 2-0 in the final last week. Congratulations to Steph, Paige & Longy for masterminding a memorable debut season.

welcome to minster fc

You will have seen from the club crest that we are over 100 years old with only World Wars getting in the way of continued existence – a matter not taken lightly as club players and staff fought for their country during these difficult times. If you get a chance take a look at the club photos at our pavilion main hall that reminds us of our history and the generations of players that have represented our club.

Throughout these years there have been successful teams – most notably in the 1960s – that have played the game in the right spirit and have set the foundations for future generations to continue. A difficult time in the early 1980s saw the club – with only a single team at the time - almost fail to finish a season in the Thanet League due to lack of players and support.

My father Ralph (also known locally as Colin) stepped in to gather as many eligible youngsters – including myself – to register and play those final matches to keep the club alive. The results didn’t matter – there was a much larger motive to keep the continuity of the club. For us 16/17 year old lads at the time we were finally playing for Minster – a team we had watched from the sidelines for many years. The following seasons saw the club continue to build from the very bottom upwards.

Our club has now grown very quickly in these last 11-12 years as we have built on the success of a very young team – managed by Ian Wallace - that have progressed through the Canterbury & District League and further into the Kent County Football League to the Premier Division where we have consolidated our standing in this division. Two further adult teams were added in 2019/2020 and during these last 5 years we have seen our club develop a pathway for young players within the area to progress with their football. Our veterans team continue to enjoy their football in the local len Martin Thanet & District League. We are also really happy to now have four youth teams represent Minster from U15 to U18 age groups and our previous youth teams have provided players into our adults squads. This season also sees the club develop a women's football team for the first time since the 1960s when Minster were one of the original female teams in the area.

Whilst we have had good fortune on the pitch these last few years backed by a huge amount of effort away from match days, we continue to be a club that see long term friendships and a sense of community spirit as being the real “winning.”

Avillageteamthatwillcontinuetousefootballtobuild competitivespiritalongsidefriendships thatwilllastalifetime.

ColinHolden Chairman

sponsors & community

Our matchday sponsor is Elliott Austin of Kent Building Surveys, who is also a big part of the coaching staff at the club. “Beardo” is our Reserve Team Manager and has coached and supported youth football in Thanet for many years, bringing energy, experience and genuine care for player development. Away from the pitch, Elliott runs Kent Building Surveys, a highly rated independent surveying practice providing detailed building surveys, snagging inspections, drone surveys, party wall services and expert witness reports across the South East. Known for clear communication, thorough reporting and fast turnaround times, Elliott’s work helps homeowners and buyers make confident, informed decisions about their properties.